P.I. the Poodle

By Seung Geel Hong

A Michigan Poodle becomes lost in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It becomes the property of several owners before it is
returned to its original owner in Michigan. It is a heart-warming story of an unfortunate experience through the eyes of an innocent animal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781387601547

Book preview

Chapter 1:  I am a Poodle

My name is P.I., which is short for Private Investigator (explained later).  I am a Poodle, and Poodles come in three varieties:

The Standard, which stands at least 15 inches high (shoulder height) and weighs at least 20 pounds.

The Miniature, which stands 10 - 15 inches and weighs 12 - 20 pounds.

The Toy, which stands 10 inches maximum and weighs less than 12 pounds.

We are often called French Poodles, which suggests that we originated from France.

However, most experts believe that we originally came from Germany or possibly even from Russia as hunting dogs.

There are at least three German words that contributed to the name Poodle:

Pudel -- Puddle (also short for Pudelhund – see below).

Pudeln -- To splash about.

Pudelhund - From Pudel + Hund (puddle + dog).

Hence the name Poodle is now often associated with the terms puddle dog, splash-about dog, and water retriever.

In any event, in my particular case, I have black hair and I am 11 inches tall and weigh 18 pounds, which makes me a plump Miniature Poodle.  In fact, two days ago, the vet told my master Karen that she should serve me smaller meals, and she should exercise me regularly if she wants me to stay healthy.

Oh!  I bet I know what you’re thinking:  You’re probably wondering why I used the word serve instead of the word give in the above statement.  That’s because Karen and I don’t think of ourselves as master and pet.  Instead, we think of ourselves as friends, even though I depend almost completely on Karen for my survival.  Furthermore, Karen never makes me feel that she is better than I am.

Many people feel that such close relationship between a human and an animal is not normal, but Karen doesn’t seem to care how others feel concerning this particular matter (and neither do I).  Karen and I have been extremely close ever since we got together again four months ago, and I hope that we never lose each other again.

If you don’t have any interest in dogs at the moment, perhaps you should close this book and come back to it at a later time:  You may have a change of heart by then.  On the other hand, if you want to learn more about Karen and me now, just sit back, put up your feet, and continue reading; and I will tell you my life story.

Chapter 2:  My Master Karen

2a. At the Pet Shop

My first recollection of my puppyhood is being inside a cage with my brother and two sisters.  I was in a pet shop in St. Clair Shores, Michigan (which is a residential suburb of Detroit), and I remember being very sleepy and confused when I opened my eyes and saw the world for the first time.  At first, I only noticed the bright lights and the blurry movements of nearby people who were shopping around for a pet.  I would occasionally see the blurry hands of the caregivers who were assigned to clean the cages and feed us.  And I would enjoy the precious moments when an extra-caring caregiver would take the time to gently pick me up, cuddle me, and speak softly to me before returning me to the cage.  Of course, there were times when a prospective customer would lift me up too fast or squeeze me too tightly.  But most of the people who handled me